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Dear Readers, It’s that time of year, the holidays are looming and so are the many social obligations we might consider. It’s time to revisit the RSVP or to put it more simply saying YES or saying NO. Yes, I love parties! I love to host parties. I love to attend parties, but even Mrs.…
A vibrant sense of community is one characteristic that sets Castle Pines – the 80108 ZIP code more specifically – apart from other Colorado communities. Neighbors know each other, they spend time together and they support each other. If you are a new resident, you have likely already experienced this firsthand. The same holds…
The seventh annual 9/11 Eat for a Cause community fundraiser was held at Pino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar. All monies raised went to the OneGoat Foundation, a nonprofit that helps first responders fill a funding gap when they are injured on the job. More than $4,000 was raised from a percentage of proceeds of…
Why do men, like my German father, leave families and cross oceans and plains for a dream? What type of energy drives them, despite all obstacles, known and unknown? Frederick and Charles Doepke must have agreed that their dream was possible when immigrating to the United States in 1853. Finding Minnesota not to their liking,…
There are a number of television shows about cake. Like, a lot. It almost seems like there are too many, but I think I have binge-watched nearly all of them. I am a big fan of cake, both in real life and on the screen. When I see these shows, I am constantly envious…
Aging Resources of Douglas County (ARDC) celebrated its fifth birthday on September 7 at the Healing Gardens at AdventHealth of Castle Rock. ARDC is a nonprofit providing free supportive services to older adults to help them age independently. Some of ARDC’s programs are chore and delivery services, transportation and the companion program. “We had…
In 2019, friend and former rancher Dennis Niewoehner suggested that I author a collection of stories about the many remarkable characters from The Castle Pines Connection’s “Wildcat Lore” column. As I began, the challenge grew and I uncovered more in-depth history of the settlers, as well as the influencers and facilitators who impacted them on…
A few of the joys of fall include sipping a pumpkin-spiced latte sprinkled with cinnamon, holding a mug of hot apple cider with a curl of cinnamon bark, and taking a bite of a freshly baked apple pie, featuring cinnamon. Since ancient times, the fragrant spice of cinnamon, with its sweet and slightly spicy…
The immune system is constantly regulating outside threats and working to keep our entire system in balance. We know maintaining a robust immune system is crucial for overall health and well-being, especially as we head into the season of spending more time indoors and with others. So, what can we do to set our immune…
Congratulations once again to Ladies 9 in the Pines for another successful breast cancer fundraising event on September 21 at The Country Club at Castle Pines. This year, the annual tournament and awards luncheon raised a record amount of close to $160,000 – and is still counting. Still to come … Club General Manager Perry…
Rock Canyon High School’s homecoming was the week of September 18 with events held every day to celebrate. Volleyball tournaments, powder puff football games, parade, bonfire, football game at EchoPark Stadium and HoCo dance were some of the annual traditions for the Jaguar students and parents. Caption by Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos
The annual 9/11 Stair Climb at Red Rocks Amphitheater honors the lives of Americans lost on 9/11/2001. After a few brief speeches, a moment of silence was observed and the Colorado Emerald Society Pipes and Drum Band played “Amazing Grace.” The climb then began for the 2,000-plus attendees, which included firefighters from across the state…
DCS Montessori is committed to providing cultural experiences with middle school students. In 2017, now- retired DCSM teacher Ryoko Fusatani began a partnership with Shibaura Institute of Technology Junior and Senior High School. Each year, the Japanese high school sends roughly 30 students to DCSM for a day filled with language and cultural exchanges. Fusatani…
Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) kindergarten teacher Mary Hastings is much more than a primary schoolteacher. She is also a 200-hour, certified yoga instructor who began the after-school and summer camp program, “Yogis for Life,” for interested kindergarten through fifth graders. “I strongly believe the earlier a person begins their yoga practice of connecting their mind,…
Red Shirt Rookies (RSR) is an extension of Special Olympics Project UNIFY, a strategy for engaging schools to use sports programs and educational tools of Special Olympics to create a place of acceptance, respect and human dignity for all students with and without intellectual disabilities. The Red Shirt Rookie club of TTE has reignited…
Everyone loves a party, and what better way to get excited for the school year than with a back-to-school bash? Each year schools throughout the nation host back-to-school events to connect families and friends and ease the anxiety students may have for the new school year. Community schools Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE), Timber Trail Elementary…
Rock solid business selling hops With more than 50 years of hospitality experience, Rock Solid Restaurants opened its third Colorado location of its eatery HopsnDrops in Highlands Ranch. The eatery is well-known outside of Colorado, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, with 16 locations in Washington and four locations in Oregon. Since its initial launch in…
If you have ever visited The Wild Animal Sanctuary (WAS) in Keenesburg, you know how much the people that run it love the animals. It is a call of the wild — dedicating a life to not only rescuing some of our wildest creatures, but caring for them long term in an environment that honors…
The Douglas County School District (DCSD) opened two new high schools in August: Legacy Campus in Lone Tree (10035 South Peoria Street) and VALE Campus in Parker (15653 Brookstone Drive). Legacy’s focus is getting students the training and college accreditation they need if they are looking for a specific career path. The career “pathways” Legacy…
Nearly 150 residents provided feedback to the City of Castle Pines about upcoming parks and open space projects during a pair of open houses in early August. The open houses – the first on August 2 at the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) headquarters and the second on August 9 at The Exchange Coffee…
Catch and release fishing opened at Rueter-Hess Reservoir on August 4 and will run through October – Fridays through Mondays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., by reservation only. Twenty-five anglers per day, with valid Colorado fishing licenses, will be allowed to fish for the stocked walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass and channel catfish, to name…
Like most individuals in public safety professions, Lyle Peterson cannot imagine doing anything else with his career. It is a calling for Deputy Peterson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). Peterson attended Cal State University in Los Angeles and graduated with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in sociology. He moved to…
In 2022, the DMV launched a statewide contest for residents to create art for new license plates to commemorate Colorado’s 150th anniversary, which will be in 2026. More than 300 entries from 216 citizens participated and 34,000 Coloradans voted on the results. The two winners were chosen by age group: one in the under 13…
The DMV is bringing back history and for a good cause. Authorized in the legislature last year, Coloradans can choose from four historical license plates. The black plate, sometimes referred to as the “blackout,” hearkens back to 1945. The blue plate replicates Colorado’s 1914 visitor license plate and the red represents the 1915 license plate. …
Wildfires are the number one natural hazard for everyone in Douglas County. There is a tool on the Douglas County website that contains an interactive map for wildfire mitigation that educates about the risk at an individual’s home or business. Simply enter your address and learn the risk of wildfire at or near your property,…
The Village at Castle Pines resident Lisza Gulyas just finished her term as president of the Rotary Club of Denver (also known as Club 31) for the 2022 – 23 term. For several years, Gulyas was seeking a Rotary Club in the Front Range and chose Club 31, which was founded in 1911 and is…
Brent Spenst (left), AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region CEO, and Dr. Devin Bateman (right), chief medical officer at AdventHealth Castle Rock, helped celebrate the transition that now has AdventHealth directly managing hospitals that were previously overseen by Centura Health. The occasion on August 3 also marked the hospital’s 10th anniversary. Spenst served as CEO of AdventHealth…
As a former school teacher, education is near and dear to Michelle Wiley’s heart. “I really enjoyed reading to my three kids as they grew and loved coming across books they enjoyed reading over and over,” stated Wiley, owner of Ziggi’s Coffee in Castle Pines. Wiley recalls how much fun her children had –…
Members of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce joined in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sky Ridge Medical Center in Lone Tree on August 17. Caption and photos by Terri Wiebold
We are looking for creative and motivated community members to join our team of staff writers for The Connection. To be a successful, you must be able to meet strict deadlines and possess excellent written and verbal skills. A great staff writer is able to thoroughly research and write compelling copy, conduct interviews, and be…
It is not often in these modern times that one gets invited over for afternoon tea or snacks and delightful conversation. Charlene Chorn is such a host. Not surprisingly, she welcomed me into her lovely home with the table set with a fine bone China snack set that would have made the…
Adriana Hawk left her home of Slovakia (formerly Czechoslovakia), a familiar life and her loving family to find love and participate and contribute her unique talent to the American success story. With both of her parents having Hungarian heritage, Hawk grew up in a trilingual household. In fact, she is fluent in four languages –…
Lynda Bess has always loved hiking the mountain trails of Colorado. A native and longtime resident of The Village at Castle Pines, Bess, her husband and three kids never hesitated to get away when they had the chance. Hiking was always her soul soother, a way to challenge herself physically while calming whatever was on…
“There is reward on the other side of risks you take,” said Milan Klusacek – and he would know. Klusacek is currently the creative director at cyber security company Red Canary, mentoring and coaching their creative team. Previously he did social media for the Broncos. To get this far, he took many risks along…
Renel and Enon (Ron) Straker hail from the West Indies’ Caribbean island of Grenada but call Colorado home today. The couple met while they were both employed with the Sandals resort in their home country: she, a butler helping couples fulfill romantic vacations, and he, a chef. Ron changed jobs, going to the Hilton Hotels…
Les Lilly’s typical workday includes driving bus routes in western Douglas County for the Douglas County School District (DCSD). “I drive out in the rural parts of the county,” said Lilly. “I also make some stops in town for the middle schools and high schools to accommodate capacity issues, because as you know, we’ve…
Born to a Colorado barn cat, Athena’s days on the farm were limited when Kiersten Lockwood and her family learned of orange kittens being given away. Shortly after their visit to the farm, the Lockwoods found themselves home with a tabby kitten and Athena with a new family, bed and food. Athena carries a strong…
Young people of the 21st century seem to be marrying later and fretting more, enjoying the lack of early responsibilities prior to taking on life-altering commitments. A good plan if you’ve got money or accommodating parents. Not so with Sedalian Thomas Buntain. He served in the Civil War as early as 17, marrying his bride…
As the air begins to cool with the sharpness of fall, it is a wonderful time to get outside for an adventure. This month’s book recommendations go beyond Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods or Cheryl Strayed’s Wild to discover explorations into the untamed world around us. Desert Solitaire:…
Dear Readers, It’s that time of the year! Are you making plans to head to the hills for the fall colors and the annual changing of the leaves? Let’s take a minute to review the rules of the road. We’ll start with the rules for descending the mountain: Drive down the mountain in low gear…
About 18 miles southwest of Castle Pines, sits The Random Ranch (TRR), a beautiful place for animals of all kinds to live out their remaining years in glorious form. Amy Bennett founded TRR 12 years ago. This working farm was not intended to be an animal sanctuary, but it accidentally became one. Animals end up…
On Paul Edmondson’s last day as a teacher, all of the kids at Heritage Elementary School lined the halls and clapped to see him off in style. Paul spent 27 years as a teacher –17 of them in Douglas County School District (DCSD) – teaching third through sixth grade. Now that he and his wife,…
Not many can say they have lived in Castle Pines twice and that all of their children and grandchildren live here. Cindy and Stew Larsen can. “Stew retired in 2018 and we moved back to Castle Pines, just four houses down the street from the home we left in 2007,” stated Cindy. Married 51 years…
One of my children is something of a vegetarian. He’s not opposed to eating meat, but he likes lots of vegetarian dishes, and in a nod to his preferences, I’ve been cooking “meatless on Monday” for a few years now. Most of the time, the dishes are simple (bean and cheese burritos and pasta primavera…
On Monday, July 31, a sold-out crowd teed up for the 9th annual XDrive Classic Golf Tournament at The Club at Pradera in Parker. The event raises awareness for Fragile X Syndrome, a leading cause of autism, and raises money for The Joshua School (TJS) and Treeline Pass (TLP). These two impactful organizations help children…
September is National Honey Month, so celebrate by honoring all things honey, which begins with appreciating the hard-working honeybee. The average honeybee will make only one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime, so it takes hundreds of bees traveling many miles to make a single jar. It is a long journey to get…
Apples are delicious on their own, but their versatility makes them one of the most consumed fruits in the world. Cider, juice, sauce, crisps and pie made with apples all come to mind for their sweetness, but this hardy fruit works well in salads, sandwiches and chicken dinners, too. Here are some fun facts about…
Energy bars are great for a grab-and-go breakfast or snack but the store-bought ones are often filled with sugar and unhealthy oils and additives. Creating energy bars at home means they are filled with the nutritious and delicious ingredients of one’s choice! Search online for recipes for homemade bars with tempting combinations such as blueberry…
Castle Pines Athletics NFL FLAG Football wrapped up the summer season with a Super Bowl. The fall season is in full swing with more teams than ever before participating in three age groups from kindergarten to sixth grade. The 2024 spring season will include seventh and eighth graders. For more information, visit castlepinesathletics.com. By…
The Board of Education (BOE) of Douglas County School District (DCSD) has authorized a Mill Levy Override (MLO) and bond for the ballot this November. At the August 8 meeting, the BOE voted unanimously for a $66 million MLO and $484 million bond to pay for an increase to teachers’ salaries and to maintain School…
Braver Angels is hosting a town hall for the three Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board candidate seats up for election this November. The event will be on September 28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the DCSD Legacy Campus, 10035 S. Peoria Street (former Wildlife Experience). The format will allow candidates to make…
Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) staff and students noticed a few changes in the Library Media Center (LMC) when school began last month. Modern improvements, interactive events, games and a cafe were added to make the old library a modern and welcoming space. The LMC staff decided last year to make some updates. Jennifer Chiu,…
Jacob Pacheco will begin his collegiate career at the University of Pennsylvania this fall, joining the school’s lacrosse team. Pacheco is undecided on a major, but has been accepted into the prestigious Wharton School of Business. “The University of Pennsylvania has always been a dream school of mine,” said Pacheco. “And when they came recruiting…
Celebrating a new school year, Executive Director of Schools at American Academy (AA) Steve Colella, along with the AA administration team, Douglas County law enforcement and town representatives, gave all first- through eighth-grade AA Rebels a warm welcome and greeting to the first day of school August 21. Students wore new shoes, backpacks and big…
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) has many new faces in the halls and classrooms this school year. Every grade has at least one new teacher. Kindergarten, first and fourth grades each added an additional class and teacher bringing class sizes down respectively in those grades. The new classroom teachers for kindergarten are Rachel Hildreth and Kathy…
Brewability forges new paths while serving great food Everyone wants to visit a restaurant where they feel comfortable and welcomed, and the vast community of people with varying disabilities is no different. Enter Brewability, a downtown Englewood establishment that is not only designed to cater to people with different needs, but is run almost entirely…
This crossword brought to you by Tammy Lopez with Allstate. 720-733-1331 – allstate.com/tammylopez Across 1. Ultra-glitzy, as ‘70s rock 5. To blemish 8. Mountain nymph 13. International money 14. Apple center 15. One way to fall in love 16. Surprise attack 17. Archaeological site 18. Vantage point 19. Equines: Long-eared 22. Not all who wander are this 23.…
Scuba diver David Moore has an adventurous spirit and has been training to put a high-altitude scuba diving record on the books this summer. After turning 57 in July, Moore aims to be the oldest diver to conquer Pacific Tarn, the lake with the highest elevation in the United States, and the first to dive…
Removing shrubs, tree limbs and brush from your property helps to mitigate the spread of wildfires. The good news for Douglas County residents is that the County offers two locations for citizens to dispose of excess debris/slash at no cost until October 28. Douglas County’s seasonal slash-mulch site is located at 1400 Caprice Drive…
The Castle Pines City Council and staff are holding three outreach events in August – two in-person open houses and a live telephone town hall option. Under discussion will be City activities, including possible ballot measures for the November election, current road work projects and upcoming commercial development. Also, the City would like to hear…
Any resident or visitor to the City of Castle Pines has surely noticed construction activity on the north side of Castle Pines Parkway, just west of I-25. Castle Pines is in the process of installing gateway signage at the city’s main entrances “to improve both navigation and a sense of place throughout the community,” according…
Jim Collin’s book Good to Great speaks of transitioning a business from good to great by having “disciplined people, disciplined thought, and disciplined action.” The first step to greatness according to Collins is “first who, then what?” – which starts with leadership. Pino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar has a new owner and manager, Dimas Asevedo,…
In July, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce welcomed Pam Swift as the newest member of the team. Swift’s title is public relations and government affairs director. In this role, Swift will help with member relations, marketing and events, as well as social media tasks while also serving as the liaison to the City of…
The position at the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce that Pam Swift (article here) is transitioning into was vacated by familiar resident and community leader, Melissa Coudeyras. Coudeyras and her husband, James, moved to Dayton, Ohio this summer to be closer to their sons: Alex who lives in Ann Arbor and works in IT at…
On August 4, longtime resident of The Village Pam Schenck-Kelly is retiring from her 27-year career as senior general manager of Park Meadows Retail Resort. She has held the role since the mall opened its doors in the summer of 1996. “Park Meadows has been the crown jewel of my career – much due to…
Not far from Castle Pines lies Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary, a 50-acre oasis in Roxborough Park which houses a new, veterinarian-approved sanctuary for senior/special needs dogs. All dogs at Pepper’s come from a rescue or a shelter and most have been considered unadoptable. Due to their age or medical condition, these canines were in danger…
It is not often an individual with exceptional leadership skills takes that gift into the art world. Brian Hubbell is a disciplined, creative force using his skills to both create art and teach others how to hone their own artistic talents. Hubbell has a background in finance, but decided to make a career and location…
What if you could go to Douglas County Libraries (DCL) – Castle Pines to not only grow your mind, but also your faith? The Precept Ministries (PM) women’s bible study group mission is to support the growth of one’s faith not as a standalone practice, but one of community build-up. PM’s mission is for participants…
From the small town of Venus, Texas, to the corners of Asia, and finally, to the heart of Colorado, John Martin’s story is one of relentless service, adventure and respectable work ethic. A retired businessman, father and veteran, Martin has lived a life marked by commitment and change. Born in 1944, Martin was one of…
… as civil engineer and IRONMAN enthusiast Back in the day, Chiara Robinson spent plenty of time roaming the great outdoors with her younger brothers and HOA1 neighborhood friends. The Castle Pines Storm swim team, organized in part by her family, was the place she found her love of swimming, and her brothers, Cai and…